Knockdown shelf structure



y 1951 J. H. JOHNSON 2,560,957

KNOCKDOWN SHELF STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 6, 1948 James H. Johnson 1N VEN TOR.

Patented July 17, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNOTCKD'OWN'SHEL'F STRUCTURE JamesH. Johnson, Auburn, Calif.

ApplicationjDecember 6, 1948., Serial No. 63,653 3 claims. (01. 211-148) This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in shelves, bookcases or the like, and the principal object of the invention is :to provide what may be referred to as a shelf structure, this being of a knockdown character so that it may be conveniently and expeditiously disassembled when not in use, and erected with .equalexpediency.

This object is achieved by the-provision of a shelf structure which embodies two basic components, namely, a vertical end panel and a horizontal shelf panel, an important feature of the invention residing in the provision of :means for 'separably attaching or connecting the two panels together.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction, in its :pleasing appearance, and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the construction and arrangement of parts as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of one of the end panels used in the invention;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the shelf panels used therein; and

Figure 4 is an elevational view, similar to that shown in Figure 2, illustrating the manner in which the self panel shown in Figure 3 is applied to the end panel illustrated in Figure 2.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of what may be called a knockdown shelf structure designated generally by the reference character II), the same preferably embodying two or more end panels I2 and two or more shelf panels [4.

Inasmuch as the construction of the various end panels and shelf panels is identical, 2. description of each will suffice for all. Referring first to the shelf panels, each of these simply consist of an elongated board, or the like, provided in the side edges of its end portions with pairs of transversely aligned notches l6 which define therebetween cross sectionally reduced necks I8, as is illustrated in Figure 3.

It should, of course, be understood that the shelf panels I4 are adapted to be disposed hori- 2 zontally, while the end panels I2 are disposed vertically, as illustrated in Figure 1.

Each *of the end panels I2 is, in turn, formed with a set of vertically aligned openings 20,-these again being similar in configuration, so that a description of one will suffice for all.

Each of the openings 20 includes a horizontal bottom edge 22 and a pair of arcuate, upwardly convergent side edges 24, the opening 20 being equipped at the upper end of the side edges 24 with upwardly and laterally directed, slot-like extensions 26, substantially as shown.

It may be explained .at this point that the Width 28 of the notches I6 is substantially equal to the thickness .30 :of the end panels I2 (see Figures 1 and 3), while the oblique distances from the aforementioned bottom edge 22 'to the upper ends of the extensions "26 as indicated at 32 in Figure 2, are substantially equal to the :full width 34 of the shelf panels l4, as seeninsF-igure 3.

Moreover, the aforementioned bottom edge 22 is substantially equal to the width of the neck It as indicated at 36 in Figure 3, so that when the invention is placed in use, the panels [2, I4 may be assembled by simply inserting an end portion of the shelf panel I4 into the opening 28 in a cocked manner as indicated at 38 in Figure 4, wherein one longitudinal edge of the panel I4 contacts the bottom edge 22 while the relatively opposite longitudinal edge of the panel I4 is received in one of the extensions 26.

Thereupon, by simply sliding the panel I4 through the opening 20 to such an extent as to facilitate reception of a portion of the panel I2 at one of the side edges 24 in one of the notches I6 of the panel I 4, the latter may be swung downwardly as indicated at 46 in Figure 4 to a position where the tongue I8 is supportably engaged by the bottom edge 22 with the side edge portions of the panel I2 being disposed in the notches It, as will be clearly apparent.

By virtue of this arrangement the two panels will be firmly and securely held together, but separation thereof will, of course, be facilitated by simply reversing the procedure of assembly as above described.

As is best shown in Figure 1, the end panels I2 are preferably used in pairs and the end panels are preferably provided with two or more of the openings 20 so as to accommodate at least two of the shelf panels I4, whereby appropriate rigidity of the assembled structure is achieved If desired, the lower end portions of the end panels I2 may be provided with suitable legs 42, and intermediate portions of the end panels,

tion and arrangement of parts may be resortedfgll to without departing from the spiritandscop of i the invention as claimed. Having described the claimed as new is: v} 1. In a knockdown shelf structure, the com invention, iwhatriflis,

bination of a vertical end panel and a horizontal i;

shelf panel, said shelf panel being formed in side edges thereof with transversely aligned notches defining therebetween a reduced neck, saidend panel being provided with an opening having a horizontal bottom edge and upwardly convergent side edges, said bottom edge being substantially equal to the width of said neck, said shelf panel being insertable in said'opening, said neck being supportably engageable by said bottom edge, and portions ofsaid end panel at the side edges of said opening being receivable in said notches, whereby said panels may be firmlybut separably secured together.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the opening in said endpa'nel is formed at the upper ends of the side edges thereof withan upward and lateral slot-like extension, an oblique distance from said bottom edge to the upper end of said extension being such as to facilitate reception of the full width of said shelf panel cooked in said opening.

3. In a knockdown shelf structure, the combination of a vertical end panel and a horizontal shelf panel, said shelf panel being formed in the side edges of its end portion with a pair of transversely aligned notches defining therebetween a reduced neck, said end panel being provided with an opening including a horizontal bottom edge and a pair of arcuate and upwardly convergent side edges, said opening being formed at the upper endsof'said side edges with upward and lateral slot-like extensionsoblique distances from said bottom edge to the upper ends of said exten- 'sions being such as to facilitate reception of ,the full widthof said shelf panel cooked in said opening, said bottom edge being substantially .zequal. to the: Width of said neck, the notched end portion -of said, shelf panel being extensible througlf'said' opening, said neck being supportably engageable by said bottom edge, and portions of said end panel at the side edges of said opening being receivable in said notchea; whereby I said panels may "be firml'y, but together.

a JAM-Es H J oHNsON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are" of record in the new eede 

